LUSAKA, Oct. 20 -- ZAMBIAN President Hakainde Hichilema has underscored the importance of unity and solidarity among countries in the Great Lakes Region in seeking solutions to the conflicts affecting the region, while investing more in economic growth, trade and self-reliance through the effective use of their natural resources.

President Hichilema made the call on October 19, 2026, while officially opening the 20th Meeting of the Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee (RIMC) of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), held in Lusaka, Zambia.

He emphasised the importance of Great Lakes countries relying on their own regional mechanisms and domestic capacities to address the challenges they face, rather than dependi...